Social Context

To live in a productive and humane way, people must understand themselves and how they relate to others in groups, institutions, and political and economic entities. Courses in this category help students comprehend individual needs and behaviors, group relationships and processes, and the evolution and nature of institutions.

AUCS 110 Sources of Power

This integrative course in the social sciences examines human interaction on the interpersonal, group, organizational, and social levels through the study of power and individuals’ reactions to power. Students gain insight into individual, social, economic, and political sources of power in relation to contemporary issues and controversies.

(Written and Oral Communication and Critical Thinking)

AUCS 120 The Adult Journey: A Search for Meaning

This integrative course in the social sciences is an exploration of the biopsycho-social events that shape the meaning of life at three critical stages: young adulthood, middle age, and old age. Emphasis is given to interactional issues, cultural values, and theories of development that constitute the adult journey.

(Written and Oral Communication and Social Interaction)

AUCS 130 Understanding the Dynamics and Environment of the World of Business

This integrative course in the social sciences introduces students to the role the American business system plays in our society. The course spans the macro environment of business, probes the various disciplines of business administration, and explores selected contemporary issues that are entwined with the economic fortunes of American firms.

(Written and Oral Communication and Critical Thinking) This course does not fulfill an AUCS requirement for students matriculated in the Barney School of Business.

AUCS 150 Gender, Identity, and Society

This integrative course examines what we know about being male and female from a variety of perspectives. Biological and psychological dimensions of gender, as well as the social and cultural frameworks of the ways in which a number of societies choose to define sex roles, are considered, along with a look at how men and women in other societies see their own lives. Factual information, fiction, and film are used to discover how our experience is colored by our own ideas about gender and by the pressure society brings to bear on us. Sources of reading and films include anthropology, cultural studies, philosophy, economics, literature, and sociology.

(Values Identification, Critical Thinking, and Written Communication)

AUCS 160 Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities

This integrative course in the behavioral sciences and humanities examines leadership dynamics from individual, group, organizational, and cultural perspectives. It is designed
to foster self-discovery, comprehension of classical and cutting-edge leadership theories,
and the ability to evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership styles.

(Written Communication and Responsibility for Civic Life)

AUCS 170 Why We Talk: Origins of Human Language

How did modern human language originate? Did it evolve through the processes and mechanisms of natural selection as other complex biological systems have? Or are there alternative explanations? What might be some ways to approach these questions? Drawing on the knowledge of many disciplines including but not limited to anthropology, archaeology, biology, evolutionary theory, history, linguistics, neuroscience, and psychology this course will attempt to make sense of the crucial questions raised as well as the findings of those investigating the origins of language.

(Written and Oral Communication and Critical Thinking)

AUCS 210 Discovering the News: A Critical Approach

This integrative course focuses on the cultural, philosophical, political, and rhetorical
influences and impacts of the news media. The course seeks to stimulate awareness of
how information is collected and transmitted, critical thinking about issues and events, and
greater understanding of one’s own culture and others. Students are challenged to develop the critical tools of rhetorical analysis, the historical background of other cultures and political systems, and awareness of various interest groups that support and influence the media.

(Oral and Written Communication and Critical Thinking)

AUCS 340 Ethics in the Professions

This integrative course will provide a unifying theoretical basis in ethics for the study of ethical decision making in the professions. Case studies in the health professions, business, the media and the arts, and engineering will be presented. Students will prepare and debate case studies.

(Oral and Written Communication, Values Identification, and Critical Thinking)